Volkswagen lit the blue touch paper on the opening 83 kilometre stage from Lisbon to Portimao to start the 28th Dakar Rally: Works driver Carlos Sainz leads the desert classic in his Race Touareg 2 by 1 minute 30 seconds after the first stage in Portugal on his “Dakar” debut.

Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)

“A great start to the 2006 Dakar Rally: Carlos Sainz presented us with the best time. The overall team result is satisfying – the team has earned itself an enjoyable New Year’s Eve. However, we shouldn’t forget that this result has nothing to do with the bigger picture, since we haven’t even completed two per cent of the route.”

#307 – Carlos Sainz (E), 1st place (leg) / 1st position overall

“I’m satisfied to have set the fastest time at the very beginning. The conditions were everything but easy: A junction was difficult to see and we actually had to turn-back. That’s why the result is all the more satisfying.”